In recent years, the auto market has become especially competitive. New car manufacturers have made aggressive moves, traditional automakers are in hot pursuit, and a fierce battle has erupted in terms of pricing, products, and categories. The rapid influx of new models, combined with the continuous evolution of smart technology, showcases the ultimate meaning of "competition." In this challenging and transformative environment, who will emerge as the pacesetter? Who will become the future trendsetter? Let's shift our focus to the SUV market. Right now, there is a model that, with its unique brand philosophy and exceptional product strength, has won consumer affection through its design, interior layout, power system, and smart technology, aiming to lead its rivals by "10%" across all dimensions. This vehicle is the Envision Plus.
It is worth mentioning that since its launch at a limited-time introductory price starting at 169,900 yuan in September, along with a substantial vehicle exchange subsidy of up to 25,000 yuan, the new Envision Plus has garnered strong market interest, with nationwide orders significantly rising. During the National Day holiday alone, orders surpassed 7,000, and by October 19, cumulative orders reached 14,527 units. To reward users for their patience, Buick has promised timely delivery and a deferred delivery subsidy policy. Currently, SAIC-GM's Dongyue base is working hard to maximize production capacity and expedite manufacturing, aiming to deliver the new cars to consumers as soon as possible.
Refined Appearance and Intelligent Design, Deeply Perceiving More Details
In 2014, the Buick Envision made its global debut at the foot of the Xiling Snow Mountain in Chengdu, proclaiming the slogan "The Strong, Self-Reliant." In 2024, the 1.7 millionth Envision Plus will be unveiled at SAIC-GM's Dongyue base, marking the beginning of a new decade. Today, the Envision Plus is embarking on its journey anew with a refreshed appearance, setting a new benchmark in the mid-size SUV market.
In terms of exterior, the model adopts a Pure Design philosophy. The front light cluster features a split design, and the wing-shaped daytime running lights enhance the vehicle's recognition when illuminated. The large-sized rotor aluminum alloy wheels employ a pearl nickel plating process, resulting in a visually appealing relief effect, while the horizontal flying wing grille broadens the front end, exuding a powerful aura. The side profile employs parametric three-dimensional extension, allowing the contours to create a unique aesthetic of order and layering.
Stepping inside, the model is equipped with top-tier hardware such as a 30-inch curved 6K screen and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. Additionally, the connectivity system supports multiple instrument display modes and various gesture control functions, allowing users to quickly access shortcuts from any interface or switch between displays with multi-finger gestures like three-finger swipes. The intelligent voice assistant, developed in collaboration with Baidu, is not only feature-rich but also highly responsive, capable of completing ten commands in under 25 seconds. For daily use, it can be swiftly activated and accurately recognized, emphasizing convenience.
Moreover, the model comes standard with a high-definition 360-degree panoramic camera and L2-level intelligent driving assistance, enabling features such as ACC automatic follow and LCC lane centering. This intelligent driving system is designed and tuned by a local team familiar with China's road and traffic characteristics, optimizing strategies for common scenarios such as parallel driving and merging, thereby enhancing comfort and reliability.
In today's intelligent era, technological innovation not only shapes outstanding vehicle products but also defines the driver-vehicle ecosystem. For our daily driving experience, beyond the conventional features, the Envision Plus introduces smarter driving services, allowing passengers to enjoy a feast for the eyes while also relishing the journey.
Comfort First and Safety Above All, Perfectly Tuned Happiness Index
When discussing the reasons for purchasing a vehicle, many car enthusiasts might first think of seeking comfort, aiming to liberate themselves from the crowded subway crowds. Consequently, many automakers focus on how to perfectly combine space and comfort in their vehicles. The Envision Plus, as an upgraded SUV, measures 4,845 mm in length, 1,883 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,833 mm. Coupled with a flat roof design, it creates a luxurious and spacious body proportion and a well-ventilated interior.
The rear headroom reaches 988 mm, legroom 1,038 mm, and knee space 118 mm, making it very friendly for taller drivers. Additionally, the rear seatback angle has been optimized to enhance comfort for backseat passengers. In terms of storage space, the trunk capacity of the Envision Plus ranges from 475 liters to 1,531 liters. The tailgate opens wide, making it easy to transport large items, and with the rear seats folded down, it offers a flat loading area with a depth of 1,904 mm, easily catering to various needs like camping or transporting large goods.
On the safety front, the Envision Plus utilizes high and ultra-high strength steel in 78% of its body structure, with key areas employing 1,500 MPa yield strength hot-formed steel. Additionally, it features an upgraded ultra-thick dual front anti-collision beam and utilizes 100% automated robotic welding technology, with a distribution of over 7,000 weld points that enhances the overall rigidity and torsional performance of the body.
Throughout its history, the model has never fallen short of a five-star rating in various crash tests, earning the C-NCAP five-star rating in 2016, achieving the Top+ rating from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in the same year, and consistently receiving five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) every year afterward. It truly excels in safeguarding our driving safety.
Additionally, the new-generation OnStar assistant is on board, encompassing more than 50 essential services across five categories and enabling remote vehicle control functions. It will contact the owner immediately in case help is needed on the road. Furthermore, it provides an annual 100GB of "OnStar vehicle connectivity application lifetime free data" service. This might be the greatest embodiment of the happiness that an excellent SUV can bring to people.
Power Boosted by Major Manufacturers, Experience the Ultimate Brand Journey
As for the powertrain, this has always been a core advantage of the Buick lineup, and the Envision Plus is no exception. The entire range of models is equipped with a 174 kW high-powered 2.0T engine, paired with a highly acclaimed 9AT transmission. The engine can seamlessly switch between three modes: "Four-cylinder High Performance," "Four-cylinder Economy," and "Two-cylinder Super Economy," optimizing fuel efficiency effortlessly.
The all-wheel-drive system features a disconnect function, which allows the system to automatically adjust torque distribution between the front and rear wheels while in four-wheel mode for slippery or off-road conditions. It can also enhance tire grip in sports mode. When four-wheel drive is not needed, the system can disconnect the power to the rear axle via the power disconnector on the front axle, ensuring that the entire central drive shaft and rear axle do not consume energy. This achieves fuel consumption levels equivalent to those of a two-wheel-drive vehicle.
Additionally, the vehicle’s chassis is extremely stable, with the Envision Plus utilizing a class-leading enhanced front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension system. The optimization of the dual-side hydraulic suspension system further improves the chassis system’s noise and vibration dampening performance on rough roads, enhancing driving comfort.
In actual driving experiences, the vehicle reacts quickly from a standstill, providing strong acceleration during overtaking. The chassis is tuned for stability, and the tires and suspension effectively filter out minor bumps in the road, creating a uniformly quiet cabin without any slight resonance or abnormal noise. Engine noise and wind noise from outside are effectively isolated, resulting in a dynamic driving experience that is very friendly and comfortable.
Certainly, beyond its visible superior product offerings, the Envision Plus benefits from SAIC-GM’s Dongyue base, which boasts world-leading lean manufacturing and intelligent production systems, ensuring invisible platinum quality. In 2013, this base became the first in General Motors global network to achieve the highest BIQ Level 4 quality certification, and in 2019, it was named "GM's Global Most Valuable Factory." Subsequently, in 2020, it received the highest honor of the JD Power "Plant Quality Platinum Award" from an internationally recognized assessment organization. By replicating and extending SAIC-GM's world-class production, management, and quality systems, the manufacturing processes and standards for the Envision Plus and its peers rank among the best globally, ensuring leading product quality.
Conclusion:
Over the course of the past decade of iteration, the Envision has consistently adhered to innovation and tenacity. For similar products, it has proposed a philosophy of aiming to be "10% better" in both visible and invisible aspects, a concept that permeates the entire brand series—from exterior to interior, and from configuration to powertrain. This not only maintains strong competitiveness in the market but also lays a solid foundation for the future. Choosing strength opens the door to a more exciting life. Perhaps this is the lifestyle philosophy that the Envision aims to convey beyond the oppressive competition.
